new christmas T-Maxx

[Herbieace]

Hello everyone,
I am just getting back into the r/c world from a 15 year break. I got a new T-Maxx for christmas and am in the breaking process. I am trying to very carefully follow the directions, but I wasn't able to complete all of the tanks in one session. After the first session I did the storage procesure witht the wd/40 and such, but last night when I tried to start it again I think the ez-start went into safe mode. Is that the glow plug being fouled, or am I just doing something wrong. I would also love to have any advice on must have hop-ups and the like. I am not going to go professional or anything, but I love r/c and am very excited to get back into it. I am still so amazed by the complexity of this truck.

 

[RCDad]

Congratulations on the new truck!

 

[cobra198]

Congratz on the new truck, I'm sure ull love it!!!

During the break in process, it is not uncommon to foul a few glow plugs. Try switching it out, this should do the trick. If not, you may be flooded due to rich break in settings. If this is the case, pull out glow plug, hold truck upside down, and stick the east start and let engine crank for a sew seconds. Put the glow plug back in and that should do it.

As for hop ups, there are countless things you could do. I believe the most practical things are to add a failsafe (to prevent runaways) and a fuel filter. Another weak point is the a arms. I broke them on my truck pretty quickly. I replaced mine w/ RPM ones and havent had a problem yet.

Hope this helped you. Again, congratz on the Truck!!!!!

Cobra198

 

[Rolex]

For future reference, if it floods, and the EZ start is still able to turn the engine, just keep the fuel line pinched till it sputters or starts to run. When it starts, keep it pinched for another second or two, then let go.
Other than that, unless they have corrected the problem, the circuitry in the EZ start has a tendancy to fail. Everything seems to work, but there's no power going to the glow plug.
Keep a glow ignitor on standby. I use one all the time. It also makes your EZ start batt last longer since no power is going to the plug.

 

[msly]

Congrats on the new Truck. I still have my orginal T and still love it. I personally have not broken any A-arms but certainly the RPM stuff is great, with a lifetime warranty. My only word of caution would be to choose your hop ups wisely, hoping up your maxx is a blast especially if you put a stonger poweplant.

Unless you have unlimited funds.... there is a point where things get out of control with hop ups. There is always the next score..... sounds like a drug addiction dont it? Well it is probably up there with a Crack habit LOL. Have fun and enjoy your truck. Just dont get caught up in an arms race.... you can hop up your truck for minimal cost and still afford to pay your rent/mortgage

sLY

 

[olds97_lss]

It's probably flooded. Do like others said, pull the plug out, turn it upside down, plug the ezstart in and hit the button for a few seconds. Put the plug back in and give it a shot.

Running a seperate glow heater will give you much easier starts as well.

 

[Herbieace]

great advice so far. I really appreciate it. I got the little bugger to go pretty well tonight, but I think it is pretty cold for breaking in. Can you believe that I still haven't seen it shift into second gear? I can't wait to really crank this thing up.
how long will my receiver batteries last? A failsaif device was mentioned earlier and I got to wondering about that. How do those work?

 

[ImBroken]

Congrats on the new Truck. I still have my orginal T and still love it. I personally have not broken any A-arms but certainly the RPM stuff is great, with a lifetime warranty. My only word of caution would be to choose your hop ups wisely, hoping up your maxx is a blast especially if you put a stonger poweplant.

Unless you have unlimited funds.... there is a point where things get out of control with hop ups. There is always the next score..... sounds like a drug addiction dont it? Well it is probably up there with a Crack habit LOL. Have fun and enjoy your truck. Just dont get caught up in an arms race.... you can hop up your truck for minimal cost and still afford to pay your rent/mortgage

sLY

Hmmm, are you implying somethin here ??? lol

I would suggest that you upgrade your Shocks, Bulkheads, Turnbuckles & A-arms (go RPM), in that order.... Good luck, & enjoy the snot outta that maxx....

 

[cobra198]

A Failsafe is just a small device that goes inbetween the throttle servo and the receiver. If your batteries go dead or for some reason you loose a signal the failsafe is programmed to apply the breaks. This will prevent you from having a run away, and having to fork out tons of $$$ to fix broken parts. It is a great little hop up. It can really save you from a lot of headaches in the future. Also you dont have to worry about changing batteries a much. You can get one pretty cheap (bout 25 bucks) on ebay or at ur LHS. I have tried both Venom and OFNA failsafes and recommend them both.

Cobra198

 

[Herbieace]

Thanks Cobra.
Do you recommend getting a hump pack for the receiver?
Also, how waterproof is the T-Maxx. I'd like to be safe running it on a wet street. Is that generally ok?

 

[cobra198]

No Problem! Glad I could help ya out. As for waterproofing, here are two good ideas for ya. Very simple and easy. This will keep water from getting in your servos/electronics.
Using Baloons: http://www.offroad-rc.com/waterproofing_the_tmaxx.htm
Plasti-Dip:http://drunkpunk082.rchomepage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11

As for the hump pack, many people swear by them. They can give more power to your servos then 4 AA batteries. As for me, i dont use one because i have enough trouble remembering to keep my glow starter and easy starter charged. lol.

Cobra198

 

[Herbieace]

that dip stuff looks pretty cool. I think I'll try to find some today. I agree about the hump pack and I'm relieved. How many tanks do you generally get from one set of receiver batteries? I am currently running without a failsafe and in a smallish neighborhood. I have literally had nightmares of my t-maxx careening into the neighbor kids as tehy wathc from their driveways.
I really do appreciate all of your help Cobra. I never imagined that there would be this type of forum available for a newbie like me. I really think I'm going to like this hobby.
Now I need to find some others here is northern IL for some bashing and fun!

 

[Herbieace]

if this works then there should be a picture of my new T-Maxx. I thought you guys might like to have a stroll down memory lane.

 

[olds97_lss]

Your right, it was a stroll... I hadn't seen a stock maxx in so long, I forgot what they looked like!

 

[cobra198]

Hmmm...I'm not quite sure how many tanks i normally get between battery changes. I have never really thought about it. Thats whats so great about the failsafe. You dont even have to think or worry about it. When the failsafe kicks in, you know its probably time to change batteries. Incase you dont know what failsafe to get, here is a link to an OFNA one on ebay. I have one and am very happy with it. Its a buy it now auction for about 23 bucks shipped.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34063&item=5945938976&rd=1
Anyhoo, Glad I could help out someone new to the hobby!

Also, ur Maxx looks beautifull. Nothing like a fresh new RC car! Enjoy it!

-Cobra198

 

[Herbieace]

Hey Guys,
Newbie question again. I am concerned that I didn't break in my T-Maxx right, or that I didn't have the settings right. When I try to go WOT now it tends to cut out. I can throttle up slowly and it is ok, but I've seen video of guys doing wheelies from the acceleration. I think I need to start over with the settings, but I can't find the default for the idle screw. Since I also have trouble shifting in and out of reverse I think this might be my problem. I really need to have someone look at my car to make sure I'm not ruining it. Any further help to a scared newbie would be greatly appreciated.
and, yes, i am considering the FOC, but I want to be able to back out of stuck while I am still learning.
Thanks guys.
one more question: Is it a bad Idea to break in in cold weather? Will I have any trouble this summer when I run it?

 

[cobra198]

To set the idle just pull off your air filter. Adjust the idle screw till there is about a 2mm gap showing. Then just start it up and tweak it from there.

In my experience i have noticed that sometimes it will have a problem shifting in and out of reverse if the idle is too high. Try lowering your idle some. Make it so its nice and low, but not so it dies. That should do the trick.

As for the FOC, like i said with the rechargeable battery pack. Many swear by them. Personally i have kept my reverse. I love to bash, and i find that having reverse comes in very handy quite often. Thats just my opinion though.

Also, as for the cold wether breakin it shouldnt be a problem at all. Their was a big article of the traxxas web site a while back about it. Ill c if i can find it

-Cobra198

Heres the article I was talking about. Just gives some tips for winter running and break in. Hope it helps!!

http://www.traxxas.com/support/howto/winter_operating_tips.htm

 

[Hypedonrc]

Congrats on the new truck, and welcome back to the hobby, and to RCNT!

 

[Revo Rancher]

Yesterday I bought a T-Maxx, for my wife, as I have a Revo. Pretty sneaky, huh. I know she will get bored with it and then it will be mine!!

Anyhow, as to the hump back battery pack, the LHS said to get it, as he feels the T-Maxx is a battery eater.

In my Revo I charge the battery pack if I am running more than 1 hour, or if it sits more than a week. Insurance, I guess. Maybe I should just get the failsafe.

Once she gets bored with it, time for shocks, springs and a custom body. After that, I will replace what ever breaks or wears with Integy and RPM parts. :idea:

 

[Rolex]

Yesterday I bought a T-Maxx, for my wife, as I have a Revo. Pretty sneaky, huh.

That's not just sneaky, it's absolutely brilliant. Hopefully some of the other guys will pick up on that.